Page 5 of Captiva Book Club

“Riley Cuthbert,” she introduced herself, shaking his hand firmly. “Come on in.”

Oliver stepped inside, taking in the cozy charm of the inn’s interior. The living room was inviting, with soft furniture and a welcoming ambiance. A Christmas tree in the corner of the room reminded him of a time, not that long ago, when he was happy. He quickly looked away, refusing to go there in his mind.

“Can I get you something to drink? Water, coffee?” Riley asked over her shoulder.

“Water would be great, thank you,” Oliver replied, his mouth dry from anxiety.

Riley nodded and motioned for him to take a seat in the front room. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

He settled into a plush sofa, feeling the softness envelop him. Glancing around the room, he noted the tasteful decor and the personal touches that made the inn feel more like a home than a hotel. He’d done extensive research on the place, its history, and the previous and current owners. He needed every bit of information he could gather to ensure his new life would be stress-free and perfect for the solitude he craved.

Riley returned with a glass of water, handing it to him with a smile.

“Here you go. Maggie should be here any minute,” she said, taking a seat across from him.

“Thanks,” Oliver said, taking a sip.

Before Riley could respond, another door opened and Maggie Moretti came into the room. He’d already seen her picture online, but it didn’t do her justice. She was a petite woman with an air of confidence and kindness, something he’d hoped to find in his new boss.

“Mr. Laurier, welcome to the Key Lime Garden Inn. I’m Maggie Moretti.”

Oliver stood and shook her hand, returning the smile.

“Please call me Oliver.”

“Of course, Oliver. Please, have a seat. I hope Riley has been keeping you company.”

Riley chuckled. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk before you arrived.”

“Oh, well, I guess that’s a good thing. I’d hate to have you repeat everything over again.”

Just then, Iris entered the room. “Sorry, I’m late! Got caught up in the kitchen.”

“Oliver, this is Iris Bowman. She’ll be staying on when Riley leaves. Iris, this is Oliver Laurier, our potential new chef.”

Iris extended her hand with a friendly smile.

“Nice to meet you, Oliver. Sorry about the chaos. It gets a bit hectic sometimes.”

Oliver shook her hand, returning the smile. “Nice to meet you too. No problem at all. I’ve been in plenty of hectic kitchens.”

Maggie continued her interview.

“Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself. What brings you to Captiva Island?”

Oliver took a deep breath, keeping his tone steady.

“I’ve spent most of my career in bustling cities, always on the move. After a while, it gets tiring. I needed a change, something slower and more peaceful. I discovered Captiva Island during a vacation a few years ago and fell in love with it. When I saw the opportunity to work here, I knew it was the right move.”

Maggie nodded. “It’s certainly a beautiful place to settle down. But I noticed there’s a gap in your employment history. You haven’t worked in over a year. Can you tell us why?”

Oliver’s heart quickened, but he kept his expression neutral. “I had some personal matters to attend to. It was a challenging time, but I’m ready to get back to work now.”

Riley and Maggie exchanged a glance, and Oliver noticed. He didn’t add anything more to his statement, figuring there was no reason to divulge so much to complete strangers.

“We’re not trying to pry, Oliver. We just want to make sure you’re ready for this position. Running the kitchen here is demanding, even if the pace is slower.”

Oliver met her gaze, his voice steady.

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